Android 12 flaw allows hacking of some smartphones, including Galaxy S22 and Pixel 6

A flaw in Android 12 could allow an attacker to hack into your smartphone. Only smartphones released under Android 12, such as Galaxy S22 and Pixel 6, are affected by the vulnerability.

A few days ago, a developer called Max Kellermann discovered a major security flaw in Linux kernel version 5.8. Introduced in 2020, this breach also affects later versions of the kernel. The researcher titled the flaw “Dirty Pipe.”

The vulnerability affects all devices with an operating system that relies on a Linux kernel, such as Android smartphones/tablets, Google Home speakers, Chromecasts or even Chromebooks.

Read also: Bluetooth flaw puts billions of Android smartphones at risk

The flaw endangers smartphones released under Android 12

The flaw allows a malicious application to consult all the files of your smartphone without obtaining your prior consent. Above all, the breach leaves the possibility for a seasoned hacker to execute code on your smartphone or tablet. Thanks to these lines of code, it is theoretically possible to take control of your terminal.

According to Ron Amadeo, journalist at Ars Technica, the quantity of Android devices affected by the flaw is very limited. This is because most Android phones and tablets rely on an earlier version of the Linux kernel.

According to his findings, only smartphones released on the market under Android 12 are affected by the vulnerability. Among the terminals affected, we find the Galaxy S22 range, the Galaxy S21 FE, the Google Pixel 6 / Pixel 6 Pro, the Oppo Find X5, or the Realme 9 Pro +.

Ron Amadeo discovered the presence of the breach on Android through a Pixel 6. He was able to exploit the vulnerability to execute code and bypass the security measures put in place by Google.

How to know if your Android smartphone is affected?

As announced, the breach only affects smartphones released under Android 12 which are based on a version of the Linux kernel older than 5.8. To find out if this is the case with your phone, follow the manipulation below:

• Open the app Settings
• Go into About the phone
• Press on Android version
• Search Kernel version

For now, there is no indication that hackers have actively exploited the flaw. Alerted by the developers, Google has released a fix to protect users. The patch has not yet been deployed to affected phones.

Source: Max Kellerman